Michael McCoy and his Ceres Cowboys junior-novice youth football teammates started training for the 2016 season in July.

Clouds of dust kick up as the members of the Ceres Cowboys varsity, junior-varsity, novice and junior-novice football teams circle the track during a recent practice at Mae Hensley Jr. High School.

The countdown for the upcoming season started in July.

"There's a lot of excitement in the air," said John Thompson, president of the Cowboys Youth Football & Cheer Organization.

About 100 football players and 30 cheerleaders, ranging in age from 6-12, signed up for the Cowboy's 36th season of competition.

Michael McCoy, Felix Ramirez, Damian Foust, Mario Ortega, Hayden Crawford and Dorian King were among the junior-novice players cycling through various conditioning drills while parents and family members watched from nearby at Ceres' Aug. 17 training session.

"We've been practicing since July," Thompson said. "Everyone is very excited. We're all about the kids and community."